8 Day Cape Town and Garden Route Combo

Arrival Transfer
You are welcomed at Cape Town International Airport or collected from any address within close radius, and transported via shuttle to the 5-star Saltycrax Backpackers in Table View.

Check in at Saltycrax Backpackers & Adventures
SaltyCrax Backpackers is a 5-star hostel located in Table View, an adventure paradise & west coast suburb of Cape Town. The hostel is a mere 5 minute walk from the beachfront, boasting fabulous restaurants, bars, shops, public transport, as well as the beautiful white beaches of Blouberg & famous Kite Beach. Saltycrax has a vibrant lapa area which is home to the reception desk and activity center, ready to welcome you and assist you with all your package arrangements. A large communal living space, fully equipped self-catering kitchen and plenty of luscious garden scenes fill the property, creating an unexpected atmosphere for you to get comfortable, relax and make unforgettable memories. Early arrivals can spend the day either relaxing on beach, enjoying picturesque views of Table Mountain, or sipping a cocktail at one of the many sea facing restaurants in the area.

Dinner & leisure time
In the evening, meet at the hostel for a lekker (nice) homemade South African meal. A braai (Traditional South African BBQ) and potjiekos (Traditional South African stew) are usually prepared at least twice a week, and we highly recommend joining us on these nights. You will be automatically signed up for dinner on the first night of your package. Tasty homemade dinners are included for the rest of your nights at Saltycrax, but we know that the Cape is known for it's amazing cuisine with a vast variety of restaurants serving all kinds of foods, so be sure to sign up with reception at least one day in advance if you would like to have dinner at Saltycrax. Afterwards, you can roll down to the local bars and pubs where you can spend the rest of the night at leisure.

Winelands Tour
Start the day with breakfast at Saltycrax Backpackers and then, let us show you the reasons why Cape Town has become such an amazing culinary destination! The Western Cape of South Africa is home to more than 500 wineries and today we will visit between 3 - 5 of our favorites. The Winelands offer more than just wine though and there is also beautiful scenery and interesting history to enjoy along the way. The wine route tour is mellow and involves no exercise - other than lifting your wine glass. You'll visit any of the three regions of the Cape Winelands, either Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or Paarl. The day will be spent eating mouthwatering foods and treats and drinking some of the best bubbles and wines that South Africa has to offer. The wine farms offer a variety of white and red cultivars, as well as their own blends and styles. We allow enough time for each tasting to fully appreciate and enjoy the wine master’s art. The Cape Winelands is a haven of gracious, white-gabled farmsteads evoking a rich, elegant heritage. You will be dropped off at your accommodation in the late afternoon/evening to enjoy the night at leisure. Wine-not continue sipping wine with other fellow travelers around the bonfire?

Cape Point Tour
Spend a day exploring the beautiful Cape Peninsula on this tour from Cape Town. With a professional local guide by your side, you’ll have the opportunity to get a true sense of the beauty and diversity of Cape Town as you meander along some of the city’s most precious gems.

Cape Town is famed for her iconic Table Mountain, but this city has far more to offer than just that. Just a short drive from the inner city, diverse fauna and flora, spectacular views and cultural delights will wow you. This tour combines the best experiences the Cape Peninsula has to offer, all in one actioned packed itinerary. Travel to Hout Bay harbor and enjoy free time to wander independently and revel in an unparalleled cultural experience, with local traders, informal markets, fresh fish and chips and more. Or choose to board a glass-bottomed boat and cruise to Duiker Island to view the lazy Cape Fur seals as they bob about and soak up the sun. Meander along the sheer drops of Chapman’s Peak Drive as you make your way to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. Upon entry be sure to look out for roaming ostriches or mischievous baboons as you drive up to the breath-takingly scenic Cape Point. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, as the short hike to the top is not to be missed, offering panoramic views of the peninsula and the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. Having your photo taken at the famed Cape of Good Hope sign, marking the southwestern-most tip of Africa, is a must. Next up, you can get your fix of cuteness as you walk alongside African penguins at Boulders beach and learn about these endangered creatures and the efforts being made to conserve them.

Check out of Saltycrax Backpackers. Grab a bite to eat before getting collected at the hostel for the next part of your exciting journey. Pick ups are usually very early, so be sure to set alarms. Your collection is part of a tight schedule and the driver-guide may not be able to wait for you if you are not ready on time.

Important: You should pack all your belongings as you will be on the road for the next few days, and only return to us for one night before your departure. Feel free to chat to our reception desk about storing any extra luggage that you may not wish to take with you. *Luggage is stored at your own risk.

Garden Route to Sedgefield
Early morning pick up from your accommodation in Cape Town CBD or Stellenbosch (usually is between about 06:00 to 08:00, subject to traffic and the selected pickup route). You can receive your pickup time a day before.

Today starts off strong with a beautiful and exciting trip passing oasis-like seaside towns along the ocean-lined route hugged by forested national parks. After about 4 hours heading south east you'll be welcomed by the Garden Route in all its glory!

Venture further along the N2 national road to reach Botlierskop Game Reserve. Kick off of the tour with this exciting included safari activity in the heart of the native bushveld. On your first activity stop of the day, spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open 4x4 vehicle in the malaria-free Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Search for most of the Big 5 animals and also giraffe, white rhino, kudu, lion, elephant, zebra and wildebeest, just to name a few. The game drive is led by an experienced game ranger, sharing his knowledge of the local wildlife.

After the animal sightings in the wild you'll travel onwards towards the coast. Tonight’s end destination at beachy coastal town in Sedgefield for the backpacker stay crowd and Knysna or near Wilderness town area for the guest house crowd promises a serene and relaxed evening.. and if you're lucky Mother Nature will bless you with the region's usual out-of-this-world golden sunset.

Sedgefield
Sedgefield is paradise. It boasts a sweeping 14km stretch of sand and sea, age-old forests, fossilized dunes and a myriad of lakes. It was declared Africa’s first Cittaslow Town back in 2010, joining more than 100 towns around the world in a pledge to promote a better quality of life, a spirit of community and a profound respect for the environment. But don't be fooled by its 'Slow Town' status, this popular coastal hamlet is a genuine hotspot for travelers looking for the most adrenaline-fueling adventures possible.

Overnight in Wilderness, Knysna region
We prefer to use the following accommodation options, but this is subject to availability. If unavailable for this tour date, a similar standard of accommodation will be booked.
Shared Dorm at Pili Pili Backpackers with shared bathroom

As you head along the coastal belt, the paradise-like coastal towns show off and display why this region is a favorite with holiday goers and locals alike. Stop for the obligatory photo op at Knysna Heads, a pair of rocky sandstone cliffs on the edge of the lagoon, to drink in the exquisitely scenic lagoon views surrounded by ancient forests.

Pristine lush landscapes and adventure go hand in hand on this adrenaline-packed day... from ziplining over gushing river gorges, breathtakingly-beautiful ocean and river views atop Bloukrans Bridge and exploring dense forests along suspension bridges and footpaths in Tsitsikamma National Park - today is all about the "garden" of the Garden Route!

Calling all adrenalin junkies: Get ready for the highest Bungy Bridge Jump in the world. The bungy bridge itself is fairly unassuming as you drive over it, but it’s pretty apparent from the squeals and screams that this isn’t your average photo stop. Here, seemingly normal people hurtle face first down the 216m drop only to spring back up on their elastic cord like a yo-yo. So if you're feeling daring, why not face your fears and have a go?

For a more relaxed thrill, Waterfall Ziplining through dramatic scenery and over waterfalls in the nearby Tsitsikamma forest. You’ll complete about five individual slides (the longest is 211m), zip over three waterfalls and slide down one impressive gorge.

This region is a playground for the outdoors, and for those who'd prefer to keep their feet on solid ground a visit to the lush forests of the Tsitsikamma National Park is sure to provide your essential forest fix. From birding to game spotting and waterfall chasing; your Tsitsikamma to-do list will be absolutely jam-packed. A short but steep walk to Tsitsikamma’s suspension bridge is worth it for the views alone, but the abundant reptile and bird wildlife, secret waterfall and sandy beach is waiting to amaze and delight you along the forest footpaths.

The journey continues along the coast to reach surf-central; Jeffreys Bay as the sun dips behind the ocean by early evening. End the day with dinner at your accommodation or a night out to a local delicacy seafood restaurant, as you hear the gentle waves lap against the shore.

Excluded/Optional:
Tsitsikamma Waterfall Zipline
Bloukrans Bungy Jumping

Jeffrey's Bay
Jeffreys Bay is home of the best right hand surf break in the world! International surfers flock to catch the legendary waves in this, a paradise of sunshine, aloes, dolphins, shells, perfect points & classic reefs. Surfers and others who found it hard to leave such an idyllic spot have turned Jeffreys Bay into a year round fun place to be, creating a thriving local craft industry besides the surf shops on just about every corner. The bustling town is bordered on both sides by nature reserves and rivers - the Kabeljous and Seekoei estuaries and within Jeffreys Bay - the Noorsekloof nature reserve. We invite you to soak up the sunshine, enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and have a wonderful stay. A wide variety of shops reflect the diversity of local talents.

Check in at Island Vibe Jeffrey's Bay
Island Vibe J-Bay is nothing short of legendary! It’s a haven all of its own combining festive spirit, adventure sports and on the spot indulgence. Their surf side restaurant and bar offers irresistible cuisine along with exuberant parties for lifelong memories, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their breakfast and lunch menus are a la carte, while dinner is a set meal of the day. Delicious thin based pizza’s ease the hunger pangs out of meal times as do their decadent chocolate brownies!

The backpackers has a wide selection of exciting activities available to suit all guests both young and old. This promises to be a stay you won’t forget.

Wake us in South Africa’s quintessential ‘Surf City’. Hang ten with the locals and slip into a relaxed frame of mind at the beach while enjoying the warmer Indian ocean waters. Shopaholics can visit the JBay’s surf wear shoppers village or if you’ve always fancied surfing at this world famous surf spot ; then put your goofy foot forward and go for it. Opt to fill your morning with a choice of the following optionals: hire Surfing equipment (or surf lessons if time permits) or book a Beach Horseback Riding optional activity to explore the coast as you gallop through the shallow waters of the unspoilt, rugged sandy beach.

From surf to safari; after the morning of beach adventures the journey now goes inland to visit the malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park and go see native wildlife in their natural habitat. As you journey to the world-renowned Greater Addo Region the dusty plains of the Klein Karoo morphs into a greener horizon. Your guide will use local knowledge to pinpoint the whereabouts of the park’s big game animals while deftly navigating the maze of dusty dirt roads in search of some of the Big Five, and smaller animals too.

You'll stay overnight in a small citrus farming community that lies in the Sundays River Valley surrounded by the Zuurberg Mountains - in the Addo town region.

Overnight in Addo region
We prefer to use the following accommodation options, but this is subject to availability. If unavailable for this tour date, a similar standard of accommodation will be booked.
Shared dorm at Avoca Rooms Backpackers with shared bathroom

Bloukrans Bungy, Elephant Bush Walk
Journey inland to the mountains as you start the day with a journey through the landscape of rugged plains and towering cliffs to reach Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world, situated in the semi-desert Klein Karoo.

Head deep underground to the magical Cango Caves’ limestone chambers, alive with drip formation stalactites and stalagmites and remnants of Khoikhoi paintings. Opt for the easy-going Heritage Tour to test the cave’s acoustics and gain insights your guide provides into the formation and dripstone evolution. By contrast, the Adventure Tour (if available) allows would-be contortionists to squeeze, twist and wiggle their way through limestone chimneys on a rather more adventurous underground route.

If time allows, those seeking a close encounter with Mother Nature can join rangers on an optional Elephant Observation in Nature at the Buffelsdrift private game reserve this afternoon (or the next morning in most cases). Meet these three rescued elephants named: Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo, as they roam freely in their natural habitat bushveld area close to a waterhole dam. These gentle giants were orphaned when their parents were poached in the north of South Africa. In efforts to keep the family together, they were transferred to Buffelsdrift, bringing their boisterous personalities with them. You are free to take pictures from a distance and can ask the guides as many questions as you wish as you follow their massive footsteps.

You’ll spend the evening here at leisure in this countryside town of Oudtshoorn. Either ask your guide to help you book a restaurant or taste local delights, such as ostrich "sosaties" (kebabs) and "pot brood" (bread cooked on open flames) at an optional 'braai' (bbq) experience and spend the evening around a crackling fire under the vast twinkling starry country sky.

Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is a town in the Klein Karoo area of South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s known for its ostrich farms and rests along the Route 62 wine route. The central C.P. Nel Museum traces the ostrich-feather boom era and houses a working synagogue. The nearby Cango Wildlife Ranch is a conservation park offering animal petting. To the north, the Cango Caves are a 20-million-year-old network of limestone chambers,

Overnight in Oudtshoorn
We prefer to use the following accommodation options, but this is subject to availability. If unavailable for this tour date, a similar standard of accommodation will be booked.
Shared dorm at Uthando Backpackers with shared bathroom

Wake up in Oudsthoorn, where the ostrich reigns supreme. If you haven’t picked it up from the bird-filled paddocks and farms lining the highway or the colourful feather stalls on the way to town center, you will from the many show farm signs and the palatial sandstone homesteads that hark back to an era when ostrich feathers were worth more than gold. The Cango Ostrich Show Farm gives you a glimpse into the farming industry, allowing you to observe the world’s biggest bird beak-to-beak and test the toughness of the shells.

Complete this week-long epic road trip journeying along the ever-changing scenery, winding your way through mountain passes where lazy baboons surprise and delight along the roadside; rolling farmlands and fertile microclimates settle among the rows and rows of grapevines. Traverse our famous Route 62; modelled after America’s Route 66, but with a distinctly local flavour and the longest wine route in the world. This is more than just a leisurely drive – an opportunity to drink in the local country-life culture, taste the farm fresh produce and meet the larger-than-life local characters and sample world-class wines.

Wine lovers will be in their element with a Wine Tasting pit stop to sample some of the local produce about midway to your overnight stop. Few things are more beautiful to behold than the innate majestic beauty of this Valley of Wine with a glass of wine in hand. Non-alcoholic options available for non-drinkers or under legal drinking age children.

After all the excitement of the week; ticking off the region's bucket list items and exploring the best spots of the Garden Route and beyond, you'll say your goodbyes as you reach Cape Town or Stellenbosch.

Important notice for end of year peak season tours: For travel from 10 December to 10 January, this tour will overnight 2 nights at Jeffreys Bay and not in Addo Town.

Arrival transfer
7 nights accommodation of your choice
Self-service breakfast each morning
Cape Town Wine & Tasting tour
Cape Peninsula Tour
Garden Route roadtrip with inclusions